The snow leopard
Among Europe's key breeding programmes.
Bin im Garten — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Lukáš Nekolný — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Lukáš Nekolný — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Lukáš Nekolný — CC BY-SA 4.0
A zoo on an island: Korkeasaari, among the world's oldest zoos (1889), occupies a rocky sea island off the harbour reached by summer ferry from Market Square or by bridge from the Kalasatama district — and its speciality is northern and mountain animals: snow leopards and Amur tigers, brown bears, lynx, reindeer, musk oxen and owls, in enclosures among rock and pine. The tropical house Amazonia and the African house warm the winter, a children's zone has farm animals, and the cafés look over the sea. The island itself is an outing: rocks, shores and views of Suomenlinna and the city. In winter it turns magical with snow and the northern animals at their liveliest, and the torch-lit evenings of January are a beloved tradition. Half a day at least.
Among Europe's key breeding programmes.
A warm rainforest in the northern winter.
Rocks, shores and a view of Suomenlinna.
Mustikkamaanpolku 12, Helsinki
Uspenski CathedralThe largest Orthodox church in Western Europe: Uspenski in red brick with thirte19 minutes walk4.7
Market Square (Kauppatori)Helsinki's harbour, market and terminus in one place: Market Square on the south23 minutes walk4.5
Helsinki CathedralFinland's first picture: a white cathedral with green domes crowning a vast flig23 minutes walk4.7
Havis AmandaHavis Amanda is a bronze fountain at the edge of **Market Square** on Helsinki's25 minutes walk4.5Metro to Kalasatama then a ten-minute walk over the bridge, or bus 16 from Central Station; the ferry runs in summer only.